Mom Matters on Idaho Today is a series created by moms for moms as a safe place to share, collaborate and support one another. The idea for the series came from a very personal experience of Idaho Today Host Mellisa Paul. About a year ago, Paul had a full hysterectomy. The healing journey was much longer and harder than she expected.
“My long recovery was largely due to the fact I lacked resources on how to navigate it,” says Paul. “I was just overwhelmed and couldn’t find the resources I needed to make a swift recovery. The whole experience highlighted the many challenges women face in society. Challenges that aren’t often talked about because our culture views them as ‘inappropriate.’ And there’s an underlining expectation that women are just supposed to ‘deal with it.’ I want to change that.”
Paul shared her passion and concept for Mom Matters with KTVB General Manager Jessica Hagan, who eagerly leaned in. As luck would have it, another mom, Shannon McGuire, was already creating a supportive organization called Supreme Moms. McGuire even funded a Gallup poll focused specifically on Idaho moms. Paul is utilizing this poll information for the initial segments of Mom Matters.
The first episode of Mom Matters launched on Wednesday April 10th and is entitled “Moms Are Burnt Out.” It’s a conversation with Genevive Nutting-Howarth (creator of the Women’s Community), Natalee Allen (KTVB Assistant News Director), Krista Bell (Certified Life Coach), Shannon McGuire (Founder of Supreme Moms) and Mellisa Paul.
“It’s evident that Idaho moms need to be heard,” says Paul. “I hope that women watch the series and understand that no matter the journey, they are never alone.”
If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss on Mom Matters, message the Idaho Today-Mom Matters team at: idahotoday@ktvb.com